An Open Letter to the PM on the Land Acquisition Bill

Mr. Prime Minister,

Your party had promised to be a harbinger of hope. It had talked of bringing the 'achche din' that the people of this nation deserve. The proposed Land Acquisition Bill does nothing to serve either of your party's commitments. A simple comparison between the Land Acquisiton Act of 2013 and its 2014 Ordinance will reveal the same.
Number 1: (Consent from affected people)
In the 2013 Act, mandatory consent of the owners of the land- 70% for Private Public Participation (PPP) projects and 80% for private projects, which could be raised to 100% by State Governments was required.
In contrast, the same consent is not required for defense, security, rural infrastructure and industrial corridors.
In a country that prides itself on democratic principles, depriving the affected people of their right to consent is not exactly...well, democratic.

Number 2: (Social Impact Assessment or SIA)
In the 2013 Act, SIA was compulsory for every acquisition.
However, in your proposed 2014 Ordinance, no Social Impact Assessment is required for defense, security, rural infrastructure, social infrastructure and industrial corridors.
Now, the fact that your party enjoys a thumping majority in the parliament does not give you the right to run your diktats without taking into account what impact it might cause. No matter how well-intentioned your diktats maybe.

Number 3: (Return of land if left unused for 5 years)
The clause was present for it in the 2013 Act.
The same has no provision for it in the 2013 Ordinance.
Which means that might is right, always.

Number 4: (Consideration of food security)
Clause was present for the same in the 2013 Act.
Not so, in the 2014 ordinance.
This is not expected in a nation that is primarily agricultural.

Number 5: (Land can be acquisitioned by...)
In the 2013 Act, only Public Sector and Private companies could have done this.
Now, Public Sector, Private Companies and Private Entities (Including proprietorship, partnership and NGOs) can acquisition land.
It is quite literally an open season for all.

Number 6: (Role of Authorities)
In the 2013 act, throughout the procedure of land acquisition if any clause or limit was not followed then the concerned people could have been legally prosecuted.
However, in your 2014 Ordinance, if any clause is over ruled, concerned authorities will not fall within the jurisdiction of proceedings. Without permission, they cannot be legally prosecuted.
Which means that one is being legitimised to commit violations openly.

Mr Prime Minister, you give me hope in the future of our country whenever I listen to your speeches. But, can we please get over the rhetoric and get down to really helping the downtrodden? 

Hoping that you will repeal the proposed Land Acquisition Bill,
Ashish





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